Game apparatus and method of play for manual or computer application

ABSTRACT

A game apparatus for play by at least two players, having game pieces that are manually placed in at least four slideably mounted, apertured slats, each having at least four apertures for receiving one or more of the game pieces, and a base assembly for slideably mounting the slats, such that the slats can be moved, and the game pieces placed in the apertures, at the option of each of the players who take turns in playing the game. The game pieces are generally grouped in two different colors. The number of slats are generally the same as the number of apertures, and are preferably four or eight in number. The method of play by two players of apparatus involves each of the players taking turns that are selected from two possible moves: placing a game piece in one of the apertures on one of the slats or linearly displacing one of the slats one stop. The game commences with no pieces on the board, and with no home area for determining opening and winning of the game. A winner is determined when a player has a predetermined number of game pieces in a predetermined arrangement, generally four or eight in a row, or in a diamond or other configuration and where the configuration is not a home area. Also included is a virtual game board in which the game is controlled by a computer or group of computers as well as on the Internet.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of games, and moreparticularly to a manipulatable game having pegs or balls as gamepieces, with apertured, slidable assemblies such that a turn compriseseither placement of a peg or movement of a slidable assemblies in eithera manual mode or automated by way of a computer application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Virtually everyone is familiar with portable game devices of some kind,whether it be checkers, chess, chinese checkers or the like, in whichpegs, marbles or the like are placed on a board each time a player has aturn. Other peg and marble games are also known, as shown by U.S. Pat.No. 3,870,311, U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,879, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,731,934.

Board games, a common form of past time, have been relegated tomoney-making types of operations (like Monopoly) and, in today's world,are largely left for rainy days, or power failures. Typically, suchboard games lack the types of issues that are attractive to today'sperson, and thus are a mode of last resort.

Educational board games are also known. For example, U.S. Pat. No.6,032,957 to Kyosaki shows a game for educating the players in theaspects of finance, investing and accounting.

However, such known game devices typically possess a static game board,in which the players have no ability to use a turn to modify the gameboard.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,731,934 to Shoptaugh shows a board game consisting offixed home positions on each side thereof with a plurality of slidersbetween the two home positions with spaces for the reception of theplaying pieces of each of the players. The object of the game is to moveone player's pieces from one home position to the other before theopponent can do so.

However, the object of the present invention is clearly distinguishablefrom the game shown in Shoptaugh. The instant invention describescomputer applications of the game, not anywhere shown in Shoptaugh.Furthermore, the subject invention is directed to a game apparatus andmethod of play, whereby a winner is determined when a player places apredetermined number of game pieces in a predetermined arrangement (suchas a diamond, square, or other arrangement), which is critical to theinstant invention. Shoptaugh, on the other hand, describes a gameapparatus whereby a winner is determined by moving his playing piecesfrom one home area on one side of the board to the other home area onthe other side before his opponent.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide anunusual game apparatus, in which the game board surface can be changedor altered by a player as that player's turn, rather than simply placinganother game piece on the surface.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a gamingapparatus and method of play, that permits bidirectional, slidablereassembly of the gaming surface and provides three modes of play: afirst mode wherein no gaming pieces are placed on the board at gamecommencement, a second mode wherein game pieces are added at the optionof the players during play, and a third game over mode wherein one of atleast two players' game pieces are configured on slidable slats in apredetermined arrangement, and wherein said gaming surface is structuredsuch that it lacks home positions in any of said modes for placement ofsaid pieces.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide aportable gaming apparatus for playing a game that provides manipulationof the game board.

Finally, it is a yet further object of the present invention to providea computer-assisted version of the game apparatus, wherein the elementsare virtual and created by software, but the gaming rules and methodsare the same as that shown in the physical version.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, itsoperating advantages, and specific objects attained by its use,reference should be had to the drawings and descriptive matter in whichthere are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of theinvention.

The foregoing objects and other objects of the invention are achievedthrough a game apparatus for play by at least two players, having gamepieces that are manually placed in at least four slideably mounted,apertured slats, each having at least four apertures for receiving oneor more of the game pieces, and a base assembly for slideably mountingthe slats, such that the slats can be moved, and said game pieces placedin said apertures, at the option of each of the players who take turnsin playing the game. The base lacks a home area for commencement andcompletion of the game. The object of the game is to arrive at a lineararrangement (i.e., a number in a row) or a predetermined configuration(e.g., a diamond).

Each player elects a color specific to a group of game pieces, and oneis selected to open first. Opening can be determined by one playerselecting one piece from each group of colors, placing each such piecein a different hand, hiding them behind his/her back, while the otherplayer picks a hand. The winner of the pick then opens.

At the game commencement, no gaming pieces are located on said base. Themethod of play by two players involves each of the players taking turnsthat are selected from two possible moves: placing a new game piece inone of the apertures on one of the slats or linearly displacing any oneof the slats one stop. It should be appreciated that in this manner, thegame board itself is reconfigured by a player. Thus, for example, if oneplayer has three in a row, by moving a slat, the three in a row positiondisappears, as shown in greater detail in connection with the detaileddescription set forth below and the drawings appended hereto.

The complexity of play is different from a traditional board game, sincea player may use his or her turn to reconfigure the board, therebychanging the dynamics of the piece arrangements. Likewise, by changingthe board either a position is enhanced or a new position isestablished, since the configuration of the board itself is therebyaltered.

A winner is determined when a player has a predetermined number of gamepieces in a predetermined arrangement (that lacks a home area forcompletion of the game), generally four or eight in a row, or in adiamond or other configuration,

Under the preferred embodiment, the number of slats are generally thesame as the number of apertures, and are preferably four or eight innumber. Likewise, winning is established generally by having four oreight in a row. Again, it should be appreciated that when a player hasthree or seven in a row, this does not automatically mean that thatplayer wins the next turn. This is because the other player may block byplacing a game piece on that row, or by moving one of the slats. Itshould further be appreciated that moving one of the slats may enhancethat player's own position (in, for example, aligning a row), or, forthat matter, may align the row in a way that allows the other player towin then, or on the next subsequent turn.

Also included is a virtual game board in which the game is controlled bya computer or group of computers. The manner of play is the same, butthe game is controlled by software, and the user enters his or her moveby mouse or keyboard action.

It is thus a feature of the present invention to provide a gameapparatus that allows a player to elect from two options at his or herturn, either placing another game piece on the board or moving a slattedassembly one stop that actually reconfigures the board.

The foregoing and other features of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description considered inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood,however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes ofillustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, forwhich reference should be made to the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similarelements through the several views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game apparatus, in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the invention, showing four slatted assemblies,four apertures, and game pieces assembled such that the dark color wins;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the game apparatus, in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the invention, showing the game board surface atcommencement of play;

FIG. 3 is a breakaway view of one of the slatted assemblies and theirdirectional orientation and location in the base assembly, in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the base assembly in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 5 is a side, frontal view of a slatted assembly and its directionallocation in the base assembly, in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the subject invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a computer-aided version of thegame apparatus, where the apparatus is virtual, and the game is playedby two users on a single computer, or multiple users over the Internetor via an intranet;

FIG. 7 is a screen shot of the virtual game board, in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the invention, showing the game board surface atcommencement of play;

FIG. 8 is a screen shot of the virtual game board, in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the invention, showing the game board after playhas been commenced; and

FIG. 9 is a screen shot of the virtual game board, in accordance with apreferred embodiment, showing four slats, with four apertures on eachslat, and game pieces assembled such that the light color wins.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with the subject invention, and with particular referenceto FIG. 1, game device 50 is shown, in which the game board has beenreconfigured to show a completion of play situation. In particular, gamedevice 50 is comprised of a plurality of slideably-mounted, aperturedslats, in this embodiment, four in number, shown as items 2A, 2B, 2C and2D, placed in base 10. Slat 2D is shown in an original, game startingposition, indicating that, during play, it has not been moved.

Each of slats 2A through 2D have corrugated bottom portions 14 that are,in this embodiment, waivably pronounced to enable a “stop” that providesthe slat's mobility bidirectionally, in either direction as shown by thearrow indicated in FIG. 1. (As shown in further detail below, base 10has corresponding waived pronouncements to permit relocation of theslats with a physical indicator (i.e., the relocation realigns) of amove.)

Accordingly, during play, slats (2A through 2D) are enabled to moved a“stop” representing a location in either of the two directions indicatedby the arrow. In particular, with reference to slat 2C, it should beappreciated that this slat was moved, during play, one “stop”leftwardly, as indicated by its dislocation one “unit” or stop to theleft of slat 2D. Likewise, slat 2B was moved during play two stopsrightwardly, and slat 2A two stops leftwardly.

In this embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, game pieces 6A through 6E are“dark” in coloration, representing one player's pieces, and in theparticular apertures 8, placed there, turn by turn, by that playerduring play. Likewise, the “light” game pieces 4A through 4E were placedby the other player in the particular apertures 8 during play. The slats2A, 2B and 2C were moved during play. The result of game piece locationand slat movement is the linear arrangement of four game pieces 6A, 6B,6C and 6E in a diagonal row, thereby indicating that the “dark” pieceplayer has won the game.

FIG. 2 shows the game board in the initial stage, prior to commencementof play. There are no game pieces indicated, because play has notcommenced, and slats 2A through 2D are in the “opening” position, inthat the board, in this case a “four by four” in terms of number ofapertures 8 and stops on the slats 2A through 2D, are all aligned in asquare, on base 10. It should be appreciated that while thisdemonstrates a preferred “opening” or game-commencing position, otherconfigurations of the apparatus can be presented as an opening withoutdeviating from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention, as one ofordinary skill in the art can appreciate.

FIG. 3 reveals a perspective view of slat 2D, having waivedpronouncements 14 on the bottom surface, and slides 16 that fit intocorresponding slidable regions 18 on base 10. It should be appreciatedthat while only slat 2D is shown in FIG. 2, the other slats 2A through2C also have the same configuration, and fit into corresponding slidableregions 18 on base 10. As a result of the waived pronouncements 14 andcorresponding waived pronouncements 17 on base 10, each time a slat (2Athrough 2D) is moved in either of the bidirections shown by the arrow,the waived pronouncements rise the slat above the game board untilresting in the next location. In this manner, a “stop” is provided,since realignment of the game board results after each of thebidirectional moves has been completed.

FIG. 4 shows, in greater perspective, base 10, comprising slidableregions 18 for receiving slides 16, and waived pronouncements 17 forcarrying the slatted waived pronouncements 14.

Likewise, FIG. 5 shows the perspective separation of slat 2 d from base10, in which slide 16 is shown, and the relationship between waivedpronouncements 14 and 17 is made visibly evident.

Lastly, it should be appreciated that the game may be played in avirtual manner, in which the game is software created, and played byhardware control on a personal computer 24A, or by two personalcomputers 24A and 24B connection optionally by way of the Internet or anintranet, as shown by FIG. 6. The method of play is always the same.

FIG. 7 shows the virtual game board 51 in the first, initial play mode,prior to commencement of play. There are no game pieces indicated,because play has not commenced, and all of the apertures 8 are openslats 2A through 2D are in the “opening” position, in that the board, inthis case a “four by four” in terms of number of apertures 8 and stopson the slats 2A through 2D, are all aligned in a square, on base 10. Itshould be appreciated that while this demonstrates a preferred “opening”or game-commencing position, other configurations of the apparatus canbe presented as an opening without deviating from the spirit or scope ofthe claimed invention, as one of ordinary skill in the art canappreciate.

FIG. 8 shows the virtual game board 51 in the second play mode, aftercommencement of play. The game pieces 4A and 4B are “light” incoloration, representing one player's pieces, and in the particularapertures 8, placed there, turn by turn, by that player during play.Likewise, the “dark” game piece 6A was placed by the other player in theparticular apertures 8 during play.

FIG. 9 shows the virtual game board 51 in the third, game over mode ofplay. The result of game piece location and slat movement is the lineararrangement of four “light” game pieces 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D in a diagonalrow, thereby indicating that the “light” piece player has won the game.

With respect to the method of play, after each player selects a gamecolor, and the first to start is chosen in any of a variety of knownmanners, each player is permitted to choose between placing a game piecein an aperture or moving one of the slots. Game continues until apredetermined configuration is achieved. The predetermined configurationmay be a line of a number of game pieces that depends from the size ofthe board, or a geometric shape, like a diamond.

The game board may have any of a number of slats and apertures, withoutdeviating from the spirit or scope of the invention. Generally, thenumber retains a square arrangement, and is ideally 4 by 4 or 8 by 8,although other configurations are permitted in accordance with theinvention.

While there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novelfeatures of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof,it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions andchanges in the form and details of the device illustrated and in itsoperation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing fromthe spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to belimited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

1. A game apparatus for play by at least two players, comprising: (a) aplurality of manually placeable game pieces; (b) a gaming surfacecomprising at least four slideably mounted, apertured slats, each havingat least four apertures thereupon for receiving one or more of the gamepieces, said gaming surface providing three modes of play: a first modewherein no gaming pieces are placed on the board at game commencement, asecond mode wherein game pieces are added at the option of the playersduring play, and a third, game over mode wherein one of at least twoplayers' game pieces are configured on said apertured slats in apredetermined arrangement, and wherein said gaming surface is structuredsuch that it lacks home positions in any of said modes for placement ofsaid pieces; and (c) a base assembly for slideably mounting said slats,such that said slats can be moved, and said game pieces placed in saidapertures, at the option of each of said at least two players, inserial, turned order.
 2. The game apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidplurality of game pieces are grouped into two groups distinguished byeach group possessing a different color.
 3. The game apparatus of claim1, wherein said slats number in total the same number as said apertures.4. The game apparatus of claim 3, wherein said number is four.
 5. Thegame apparatus of claim 3, wherein said number is eight.
 6. A method ofplaying a game by at least two players on a game apparatus having a gamesurface comprised of a plurality of apertured slats, slideably mountedin a base assembly such that each of said slats can be moved in abidirectional, linearly displaceable, sequential, stopwise manner thatreassembles the appearance of the game surface, comprising: (a)selecting a color specific to each of the players; (b) wherein each ofsaid players, in serial, turned order, selects a move selected from oneof two possible moves, said two possible moves comprising: (1) placing agame piece in one of said apertures on one of said slats; and (2)sliding any one of said slatted portions linearly in one of the twobidirectional manners, to the next, sequential stop; (c) repeating step(b) until one of the players has placed a predetermined number of gamepieces in a predetermined arrangement, rather than merely moving gamepieces from one side of the game surface to the other, and wherein thegame commences with no game pieces on said game surface, the gamesurface lacks a home area for commencement and completion of the game,and the object of the game is to arrange said game pieces in apredetermined arrangement that lacks a home area for completion of thegame.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the number of slats and numberof apertures are the same.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein, the numberis four.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the number is eight.
 10. Themethod of claim 6, wherein the arrangement is linear.
 11. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the arrangement is linear, and the linear number equalsthe number.
 12. The method of claim 6, wherein the arrangement is adiamond.
 13. The method of claim 6, wherein the apparatus is virtual,presented in a computer-assisted manner, and the method is practiced byentering data via a computer.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein saidpresentation involves the Internet.
 15. The method of claim 13, whereinsaid computer comprises a touch screen for practicing said method. 16.The method of claim 13, wherein said at least two players practice saidmethod via the Internet.